Co-Production in an Information Age

Abstract

In Ramsey County, Minn., you don't have to be a cop to fi ght crime.In fact, you don't even have to leave your desk.All you have to do is join the county's virtual neighborhood watch network and you'll be able to lookout for suspicious activity from your computer.(Nichols, 2010) New practices of co-production are being facilitated by the new media.The Ramsey County example is telling: citizens are asked to help the police by monitoring online safety cameras.Thirty cameras have been put up at criminal hot spots, or areas with frequent vehicle break-ins, thefts and assaults.The wireless technology allows law enforcement offi cers to watch what is going on but the police have a limited number of "eyeballs."To extend their number of "eyeballs," they have created a website (www.ram- seycountysheriffwebcop.com) that enables users to gain access to fourteen of the county's surveillance cameras set up in various public areas.If users spot any suspicious activity, they can report this to the local authorities.The authorities can then watch the cameras more closely and dispatch police to the location if this is needed.The citizens help the authorities to focus their attention.Sheriff Bob Fletcher says in an introduction video on the site: "We want you to help us look for suspicious activity" (Nichols, 2010).Technology holds a similar promise for public service support: On the fi nance discussion forum, a citizen posts the following question: "I drive 50 miles one way to work, Can I take my fuel cost off on my taxes?"He receives several answers that all stress that commuting cannot be deducted."If you are self-employed or you are going to see clients, you can deduct the mileage, and not your fuel costs.If this is just your commute every day, then no, you cannot deduct anything" (Financial Crisis, 2009).The fi nance discussion forum enables citizens to obtain public service support from other citizens.Instead of calling the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), they can pose their questions on the forum and they receive various answers.One could argue that this type of activity takes some of the burden of the shoulders of the IRS because citizens are now doing part of the work themselves.Specifi c questions may still need to be asked to the IRS, but other questions are taken care of by citizens.Public service support is Pestoff, V., Brandsen, T., & Verschuere, B. ( Eds.). (2011).New public governance, the third sector, and co-production.ProQuest Ebook Central

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